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Milan's star, Portuguese Luis Figo, described his former club Real Madrid as a circus and strongly criticized the policy of former club president Florentino Perez.
The former best player in Europe and the world moved to Milan from Real last August, six months before F. Perez's resignation and a little more before the third consecutive season without trophies for the Royal club.
The new Real president, Fernando Martinas, has already promised to "clean up" the Madrid club known as "Los Galacticos" this summer, and the Spanish media speculates daily about who will leave Real after the season.
"If the main focus of the project is a circus, the chance to win something is small," Figo told the Spanish sports newspaper "Marca" on Wednesday.
Figo moved to Real in 2000 from bitter rivals Barcelona. At that time, newly elected F. Perez paid a record $56 million for the Portuguese national star.
A defender who loved to play on the wings was considered the first Real player who could be called a "Galactico." It was this Portuguese who helped Real become Spanish champions in their first season, win the UEFA Champions League the following year, and become Spanish champions again a year later.
"Everything started going downhill after three years when commercial matters became more important than sporting achievements," the Portuguese explained. "After three years, the club bought players just to buy. They bought them not because of their playing abilities, they had other priorities."
"When it's like that, sooner or later you have to pay for it," Figo said.
After Figo, F. Perez lured Juventus star Zinedine Zidane and Brazilian national team striker Ronaldo to Real. Then, after head coach Vicente del Bosque was fired in 2003 and English national team captain David Beckham was acquired, Real's victories dried up, and recently resigned F. Perez spent over 400 million euros during his presidency.
Another specific marketing tool for Real became preseason tours where the club and its players were promoted in East Asia and the USA.
"It's nice to go to different countries, where we were welcomed like kings," added Figo. "But ask the fans what's more important: whether their team wins on Sunday or if it travels around the world for two, three weeks like some 'Globetrotters' (basketball showmen - ed.)."
"I was surprised to hear that Perez resigned," the Portuguese said. "I don't think he did it in time. When everything goes downhill, you should stand up, take responsibility, and fix everything."
